Is vanilla blended yogurt Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why this product fails the vegan test, we have to look at the very first ingredient listed on the label: Cultured grade a reduced fat milk. This is the foundation of the yogurt. Without this cow's milk, the product simply would not exist, as it provides the lactose and proteins necessary for the fermentation process that turns milk into yogurt.

While the other ingredients are technically plant-derived or synthetic, they are suspended in a dairy medium. For example, tapioca starch and gellan gum are thickening agents used to give the yogurt its 'blended' consistency. Stevia leaf reb m is a zero-calorie sweetener, and natural flavors plus fruit and vegetable juice concentrate provide the vanilla taste and color. However, these additives do not change the fundamental nature of the product as an animal byproduct.

It is also important to note the presence of active yogurt cultures like L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus. While these bacteria are microorganisms, they are grown in a dairy environment. In the vegan community, the consensus is that the final product is non-vegan because the cultures consume animal-derived lactose to thrive.

Nutritional Value

Because this yogurt is made from reduced fat milk, it offers a nutritional profile typical of dairy products. It provides a decent amount of protein and calcium, which are essential for bone health and muscle repair. However, consumers should be mindful of the sugar content. Even though sweeteners like stevia are used, the natural sugars from the milk (lactose) combined with added sweeteners can add up.

The inclusion of tapioca starch adds to the carbohydrate count, while the milk base contributes to the calorie density. For those monitoring their caloric intake, this fits within a standard diet, but it is not necessarily a 'low-calorie' food due to the density of the milk solids. It is a nutrient-dense snack that fits well into a vegetarian diet, but strictly not a vegan one.